Wireless communication terminal having a video image capability

ABSTRACT

A portable wireless communication terminal includes electronics for receiving and transmitting both video and audio signals. The electronics are housed in rugged, drop-tolerant consoles, which are interconnected so that they may be extended and reconfigured relative to each other for convenient use and easy, compact storage. A camera lens is included in a camera console, a video display is included in a video display console, and alphanumerical keys are included in a base console. The camera console can be rotated relative to the video display console so that the user can transmit a video signal of the surroundings while watching the video display. Further, the video display console can be extended and tilted relative to the base console.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,257,entitled “A Wireless Terminal Having Video Image Capability”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a portable wireless communicationterminal having the capability to receive and transmit both video andaudio signals. The communication terminal is housed in a small portablehandheld unit, which includes a small video camera, a video display, andother conventional mobile telephone features. The handheld unit hasextendable and configurable consoles so that the camera and videodisplay can be selectively arranged to best convenience the user.Further, the handheld unit is lightweight, compact, easy to store,drop-tolerant, and rugged.

2. Description of Related Art

Cellular phones have become an indispensable form of communication intoday's society. Many businesses rely upon this wireless technology tokeep in constant communication with employees outside the office. Also,cellular phones are a great convenience to our personal lives. To thisend, there exists an ever-growing need to improve both the servicesoffered by, and features of, a cellular phone.

By the Applicants' prior U.S. application, Ser. No. 08/649,554, there isdisclosed a portable, wireless communication terminal having advancedfeatures relating to video signal processing. Particularly, thecommunication terminal has a video camera and video display. Thecommunication terminal's features enable a user to send and receivevideo images while simultaneously receiving and sending audio signals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a housing for the portable wirelesscommunication terminal disclosed in Applicants' U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,257.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a communicationterminal wherein the electronics of the communication terminal arehoused in consoles, which are interconnected so that they may beextended, rotated, and/or reconfigured relative to each other at theconvenience of a user.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a communicationterminal having a camera console which can be rotated relative to avideo display console so that the user can transmit a video signal ofhis surroundings while watching the video display.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide acommunication terminal having a video display console which can beextended and tilted relative to a base console. This adjustment featureallows the user to hold the communication terminal adjacent to his headduring use. Alternatively, the user can place the communication terminalon a surface for convenient hands-free operation.

These and other objects of the present invention are fulfilled byproviding a portable wireless communication terminal comprising: acamera console; a camera mounted in said camera console; a video displayconsole; a video display mounted in said video display console; and abase console, wherein said camera console, video display console, andbase console are interconnected and said camera console is movablerelative to said video display console.

Moreover, these and other objects of the present invention are fulfilledby providing a portable wireless communication terminal comprising: acamera console; a camera mounted in said camera console; a video displayconsole; a video display mounted in said video console; and a baseconsole, wherein said camera console, video display console, and baseconsole are interconnected and said video display console is movablerelative to said base console.

Furthermore, these and other objects are fulfilled by a providing aportable wireless communication terminal comprising: a camera console; acamera mounted in said camera console; a video display console; a videodisplay mounted in said video console; and a base console, wherein saidcamera console, video display console, and base console areinterconnected, said camera console is movable relative to said videodisplay console, and said video display console is movable relative tosaid base console.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, itshould be understood that the detailed description and specificexamples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, aregiven by way of illustration only, since various changes andmodifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawingswhich are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitativeof the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view illustrating a portable, wireless,communication terminal, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the communication terminal of FIG. 1illustrating a camera console, a video display console and a baseconsole;

FIG. 3 is a close-up perspective view illustrating a guide connectingthe camera console and the video display console;

FIG. 4 is a close-up perspective view illustrating a threaded memberconnecting the camera console and the video display console;

FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating the video display console in aremote position relative to the base console;

FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating a scissors linkage between the videodisplay console and the base console;

FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating the video display console in theremote position and tilted relative to the base console;

FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating the video display console overlayingthe base console;

FIG. 9 is a front view of a first alternative embodiment of thecommunication terminal, wherein the arrangement of the consoles has beenmodified;

FIG. 10 is an overhead view of the first alternative embodiment duringuse;

FIG. 11 is a front view of a second alternative embodiment of thecommunication terminal, wherein the video display console and linkageare consecutively received inside the base console;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12—12 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a front view of the second alternative embodiment with thevideo display console located in the remote position;

FIG. 14 is a front view of a third alternative embodiment of thecommunication terminal, wherein the video display console is part of thetelescoping linkage;

FIG. 15 is a side view of a fourth alternative embodiment of thecommunication terminal, wherein the video display console can overlaythe telescoping linkage;

FIG. 16 a side view of the fourth alternative embodiment with the videodisplay console inside the base console;

FIG. 17 is a side view of a fifth alternative embodiment of thecommunication terminal, wherein the video display console and linkagecan individually overlay the base console;

FIG. 18 is a side view of the fifth embodiment with the video displayconsole in the remote position;

FIG. 19 is a back view of the fifth embodiment with the video displayconsole in the remote position;

FIG. 20 is a side view of a sixth alternative embodiment of thecommunication terminal, wherein the video display console can overlaythe linkage which can overlay the base console; and

FIG. 21 is a side view of the sixth embodiment with the video displayconsole in the remote position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring in detail to the drawings and with particular reference toFIGS. 1 and 2, a portable, wireless, communication terminal 1, inaccordance with the present invention, includes a camera console 2, avideo display console 3, and a base console 4.

The camera console 2 includes a camera lens opening 5 through which acamera lens 6 protrudes. The video display console 3 includes amicrophone 8 and a video display 7, such as a color liquid crystaldisplay. The base console 4 includes a speaker 9 and a plurality ofconventional push button keys 10, such as numerical, functional, andpower keys.

Of course, it is envisioned that the placements of the variouscomponents 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 could be altered. For example, themicrophone 8 could be located below the video display 7, or thelocations of the microphone 8 and the speaker 9 could be interchanged.

Now, the physical interconnection between the camera console 2 and thevideo display console 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1-4.The camera console 2 is connected to the video display console 3 andmoveable relative thereto. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the camera console 2in a first position, adjacent to and abutting the video display console3. FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the camera console 2 in a second position,remote from the video display console 3.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, in a first embodiment, the camera console 2 isconnected to the video display console 3 primarily by a guide rod 11.One end of the guide rod 11 is fixedly engaged to the video displayconsole 3. The other end of the guide rod 11 is slidingly engaged withina guide rod track formed within the camera console 2. The other endwould have a protrusion, or enlarged portion, so that the other endwould be captured within the guide rod track. This captured of slidingengagement would allow the camera console 2 to be moved between thefirst and second positions, but would not allow the camera console 2 tobe removed from the video display console 3.

It should be noted that connections of the guide rod 11 could bereversed. In the reverse arrangement, the guide rod track would existwithin the video display console 3 and the other end would be fixedlyengaged to the camera console 2. Also, it would be possible to modifythe form of the guide rod track so that the guide rod 11, and therebythe camera console 2, could be removed from the guide rod track withinthe video display console 3 under predetermined circumstances, such asto perform service work.

A spring 14 encircles the guide rod 11 and is in tension, tending tourge the camera console 2 to the first position, adjacent to the videodisplay console 3. Therefore, the second position of the camera console2, illustrated in FIG. 3, is a temporary position. The temporaryposition occurs when the user manually pulls the camera console 2 up toits second position, against the biasing force of the spring 14.

In the second position, the user can rotate the camera console 2 onehundred and eighty degrees, either clockwise or counter-clockwise, aboutan axis 15 centered about the guide rod 11. When the camera console 2 isreleased, it will again assume the first position again. Rotation of thecamera console 2 allows the camera lens 6 to selectively view anyportion of the entire three hundred and sixty degrees of surroundingenvironment.

A lower surface of the camera console 2, facing the video displayconsole 3, includes a plurality of spaced projections 12. An uppersurface of the video display console 3, facing the camera console 2,includes a plurality of recesses 13. The protrusions 12 are sized andspaced to matingly engage within the recesses 13. The dimensions of eachprotrusion 12 are slightly smaller than the dimensions of its matingrecess 13.

The protrusions 12 and recesses 13 act as alignment guides to seat thecamera console 2 into one of two positions relative to the video displayconsole 3, i.e. facing the user or facing one hundred and eighty degreesaway from the user. The protrusions 12 and recesses 13 add to therigidity of the connection between the camera console 2 and the videodisplay console 3, thereby making the communication terminal 1 moredrop-tolerant. Further, it should be noted that the projections 12 andrecesses 13 may be so located that the camera console 2 can be seated atother angles besides zero and one hundred and eighty degrees.

It is also envisioned that a pivoted lever could be provided within thevideo display console 3 to move the camera console 2 into its secondposition. The pivoted lever would have an approximate L-shape. One endof the lever would project through a hole in the upper surface of thevideo display console 3 and contact the underside of the camera console2. The other end of the lever would be a button projecting through aside surface of the video display console 3. By pressing the button thelever would pivot causing the other end of the lever to contact andpress up against the underside of the camera console 2 causing thecamera console to assume the second position against the bias of spring14.

Moreover, it is within the purview of the present invention that thecamera console 2 could be rotated relative to the video display console3 without moving the camera console 2 to the second position. Themovement of the camera console 2 to the second position merelyfacilitates the projection 12 and recess 13 alignment features. Otherforms of alignment, such as a frictional force or click-in-placefeature, could serve to indicate the extent of angular rotation of thecamera console 2, without requiring that the camera console 2 assume thesecond position prior to rotation.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the connection betweenthe camera console 2 and the video display console 3. In thisembodiment, the camera console 2 is fixed to one end of a threaded screw40. The threaded screw 40 is rotatably captured within the video displayconsole 3. By turning the camera console 2, the user can select the viewof the camera lens 6.

The threaded screw 40 permits the turning motion of the camera console 2to be smooth and firm, and allows the connection between the cameraconsole 2 and the video display console 3 to be quite rugged anddrop-tolerant. Of course, the threads 41 formed on the threaded screw 40may protrude or be recessed. Further, the threaded screw 40 could befixed to the video display console 3 and rotatably captured within thecamera console 2.

Electrical connections would exist between the camera console 2 and thevideo display console 3. These electrical connections could be aflexible ribbon cable extending between the two consoles 2, 3, similarto the ribbon cable 18 illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7. Alternatively, theguide rod 11 or threaded screw 40 could be hollow, and the electricalconnections could pass through the hollow spaces. A flexible bellowscould encircle and protect the guide rod 11, spring 14, threaded screw40, and/or electrical connections from moisture and other contaminantswhile the camera console 2 is in the second position.

One particular advantage of the rotatable camera console 2 is that theuser can select the view to be seen by the person to whom he isspeaking. Typically, the person to whom he is speaking would view theuser. In this instance, the camera console 2 would be arranged asillustrated in FIGS. 1-4. However, in certain circumstances, it would bebeneficial for the person to whom the user is speaking to view what theuser is looking at, for example, when a field reporter describes anon-scene event, or when an salesman calls to describe a product forsale. In these instances, it is beneficial to direct the camera lens 6toward the event or product, while still allowing the user to see thevideo display 7.

Now, the physical interconnection between the video display console 3and the base console 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5-8.The video display console 3 is connected to the base console 4 andmoveable relative thereto. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the video displayconsole 3 in a first position, proximate to and abutting, the baseconsole 4. FIGS. 5-7 illustrate the video display console 3 in a secondposition, remote from the base console 4.

FIGS. 5, 7, and 8 illustrate the video display console 3 as beingconnected to the base console 4 by two linkages 16A, 16B. Each linkageis a mirror image of the other, therefore only the physical details ofone of the two linkages 16A, 16B will be described.

One end of the linkage 16A is slidingly engaged within a first linkagetrack 21 formed within the video display console 3. The other end of thelinkage 16A is slidingly engaged within a second linkage track 22 formedwithin the base console 4. Each end would have a protrusion 23, orenlarged portion, so that each end would be captured within itsrespective linkage track 21, 22. This captured form of slidingengagement would allow the video display console 3 to be movedcompletely to its second position, but would not allow the video displayconsole 3 to be removed from the base console 4.

It should be noted that one or the other of the connections between thelinkage 16A and the video display console 3 and base console 4 could bea fixed connection, similar to the connection between the guide rod 11and the video display console 3, discussed above. In this arrangement,the maximum possible length of the linkage 16A would be shorter.Therefore, the second position of the video display console 3 would becloser to the base console 4. Also, it would be possible to modify theform of the linkage tracks 21, 22 so that the linkage 16A could beremoved from the linkage tracks 21, 22 of either or both of the videodisplay console 2 and the base console 4 under predeterminedcircumstances, such as to perform service work. Further, it would bepossible to have only a single linkage connecting the video displayconsole 3 and the base console 4, such as a flat plate-like linkage.Further, it would be possible to have three or more linkages connectingthe video display console 3 and the base console 4.

In a preferred embodiment, the linkages 16A, 16B are telescoping. Asillustrated in FIG. 5, each linkage would include a plurality ofprogressively smaller sliding links 30, 31, 32 adapted to fit into oneanother. In this preferred embodiment, the distance between the displayconsole 3 and the base console 4 could be greatly increased when thedisplay console is in its second position.

The video display console 3 is held in the first position by africtional force occurring between the sliding links 30, 31, 32 of thelinkage 16A, and occurring between the linkage 16A and the respectivelinkage tracks 21, 22. To move the video display console 3 to the secondposition, a user of the communication terminal 1 applies a manual forceto the joint between the video display console 3 and the base console 4by pulling the two consoles 3, 4 away from each other. The manual forcewill continually overcome the frictional force occurring between thelinkage 16A and the respective linkage tracks 21, 22 and between thesliding links 30, 31, 32, as the video console 3 is moved to the secondposition. To place the video display console 3 back in the firstposition, the user simply pushes the two consoles 3, 4 toward eachother. If a more secure holding of the video display console 3 in thefirst position is desired, protrusions and recesses, as described above,can be provided at the juncture of the two consoles 3, 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative form of linkage between the videodisplay console 3 and the base console 4. Here, the linkage is in theform of a scissors linkage 33. Each connection between the scissorslinkage 33 and one of the video display console 3 and base console 4would include a hinge 17 mounted to a slide block 80. Each slide block80 is free to reciprocate with a slide block channel 81, as indicated bythe arrows. The scissors linkage 33 would be completely incorporatedinto and between the video display console 4 and the base console 4 whenthe video display console 3 is in the first position. Further, thescissors linkage 33 would allow the video console 3 to be displaced agreat distance from the base console 4 when in the video display console3 is in the second position.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, once the video display console 3 is in thesecond position, both the video display console 3 and the base console 4can be manually tilted relative to the linkages 16A, 16B or the scissorslinkage 33. In order to accomplish this function, two hinges 17 areprovided close to the distal ends of the linkages 16A, 16B, 33. The usermay selectively set the angles between the linkage and either or both ofthe video display console 3 and the base console 4. One of the selectedangles could be plus or minus ninety degrees relative to a line 24,which is collinear with a direction of extent of the linkage guide 21.The other of the angles could be plus or minus ninety degrees relativeto a line 25, which is collinear with a direction of extent of thelinkage guide 22.

One particular advantage of the relative tilt between the video displayconsole 3 and the base console 4 is that the user can set the baseconsole 4 of the communication terminal 1 on a surface 19, such a desk,a chair or the ground. If the base console 4 is of sufficient weight,e.g. contains a battery, the communication terminal 1 will balance inthis configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 7. This configurationprovides a convenient, hands-free manner for the user to view the videodisplay 7 and remain a suitable distance from the camera lens 6, whilestill being close enough to utilize the microphone 8 and hear thespeaker 9.

Another advantage of the relative tilting is that the video displayconsole 3 can be made to overlay the base console 4, as illustrated inFIG. 8. In this configuration, the video display 7 and camera lens 6face the base console 4 and are protected. Further, the communicationterminal 1 is made more compact for carrying or storage.

Electrical connections would exist between the video display console 3and the base console 4. These electrical connections could be providedby a flexible ribbon cable 18 extending between the two consoles 3, 4.Alternatively, one or both of the linkages 16A, 16B could be hollow andthe electrical connections could pass through the hollow space(s) withinthe linkages 16A, 16B. It would also be suitable to provide wirelesscommunications between the three consoles, such as an infrared link,inductive link or radio signals.

In order to provide dust and moisture protection to the exposed areabetween the video display console 3 and the base console 4, when thevideo display console 3 is in the second position, a bellows could beprovided. The bellows would be constructed of a highly flexiblematerial, such as plastic, rubber, or a synthetic cloth, and would beconnected to both the video display console 3 and the base console 4.When the video display console 3 is in the first position, the bellowswould collapse upon itself to occupy a small space between the videodisplay console 3 and the base console 4.

FIG. 9 illustrates a first alternative embodiment of the communicationterminal 1. In this embodiment, the camera console 2 is located to aside of the video display console 3. The image 42 displayed on the videodisplay 7 would be oriented ninety degrees relative to a longitudinaldirection of the communication terminal 1. All other interconnections,and modifications, discussed in relation to FIG. 1-8 would equally applyto the communication terminal 1 of FIG. 9.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, when the user operates the communicationterminal 1 of FIG. 9, his head would be partially encircled by theconsoles 2, 3, 4. In this orientation, the video display 7 would beplace into the line of sight 43 of the user, the speaker 9 would beadjacent to the user's ear 44, and the microphone 8 would be in front ofthe user's mouth. It should be noted that the spacing between the videodisplay 7 and the user's eyes can be aligned and adjusted via thelinkages 16A, 16B and the hinges 17. Therefore, FIG. 9 illustrates thepreferred embodiment of the invention, when the communication terminal 1is to be operated in the orientation illustrated in FIG. 10.

It would also be possible to operate the communication terminal 1,illustrated in FIG. 1-8, in the orientation of FIG. 10. Here, the cameralens 6 would be off-center of the user's face, and a slight profileimage would be transmitted. Also, it would be required to process thesignals of the camera and video display 7 so as to rotate the images byninety degrees.

It is envisioned that a manual switch would be provided on one of theconsoles 2, 3, 4, so that the user could select whether to operate thecommunication terminal 1 as illustrated in FIG. 7 or as illustrated inFIG. 10. The manual switch would cause the processing of the imagesignals to be rotated by ninety degrees. Also, the manual switch couldbe replaced by an automatic switch, such as a mercury switch, whichautomatically determines the orientation of the communication terminal 1during use and processes the image signals accordingly.

FIGS. 11-13 illustrate a second alternative embodiment of thecommunication terminal 1. Here, the video display console 3, in itsfirst position, is not abutting the base console 4. Rather, the videodisplay console 4, and the camera console 2, reside within the baseconsole 4 when the video display console 3 is in its first position.

An opening 49 is provided in a lower, side surface of the base console4. The opening 49 serves to receive the video display console 3 andcamera console 2. A release latch button 48 is provided on the baseconsole 4 to cause the video display console 3 to protrude through theopening 49.

Since the base console 4 is the only console normally exposed, it ispossible to reduce the length of the communication terminal 1. Further,the ruggedness of the unit is improved, since the camera lens 6 andvideo display 7 are protected within the base console 4 when not in use.

A second microphone 51 can be included on the base console 4 so that thecommunication terminal 1 can be operated like a conventional cell phone,when it is not desired or possible to utilize the video features.Alternatively, it would be possible to provide the microphone 8 near anedge of the video display console 3 so that the microphone 8 resides ator near the opening 49 and can receive voice sounds. Also, the baseconsole 4 could include a small, LCD screen 50 to indicate the numberdialed, caller ID, messages waiting, etc. when the base console 4 isbeing used as a conventional cell phone.

FIG. 12 is a cross-section taken across line 12—12 of FIG. 11. It can beseen that one of a pair of telescoping linkages 30, 31, 32 connects thevideo display console 3 to the base console 4. As described in relationto FIG. 7, the upper telescoping link 30 would include the protrusion 23riding in the linkage track. Further, the hinges 17 would be provided atthe distal ends of the two linkages 16A, 16B. Of course, other forms oflinkages could be used, such a telescoping plate linkage, or a fixedlength linkage.

FIG. 13 illustrates the video display console 3 in its second position,remote from the base console 4. In the second position, the cameraconsole 2 can be rotated relative to the display console 3, in a mannerconsistent with the discussion above relating to FIGS. 3-4. Further, thecommunication terminal 1 can be used by the operator, as illustrated inFIG. 10.

FIG. 14 illustrates a third alternative embodiment of the communicationterminal 1. In the third alternative embodiment, the video displayconsole 3 and camera console 2 are integrated into the telescopinglinkages 16A, 16B. The integration occurs by including additionaltelescoping links 52 adapted to slide into telescoping links 32. Theadditional telescoping links 52 would include miniature hinges 53 whichcan slide, along with the telescoping links 52, into the telescopinglinks 32.

The third alternative embodiment allows the base console to be reducedin the lengthwise dimension. Therefore, the communication terminal 1 canbe made more compact and convenient to carry, while still maintainingthe functional characteristics of a conventional cell phone when thevideo display terminal 3 is in the first position.

FIGS. 15-16 illustrate a fourth alternative embodiment of thecommunication terminal 1. Here, the base console 4 is again verycompact. Unlike the third alternative embodiment, the video displayconsole 3 and camera console 2 are not integrated into the telescopinglinkages 16A, 16B. Instead, by virtue of the lower hinges 17, the videodisplay console 3 and camera console 2 can be made to overlay thetelescoping linkages 16A, 16B.

When placing the video display 3 into the first position, thetelescoping linkages 16A, 16B would slide into guide tracks 54, and thevideo display console 3 and camera console 2 would slide into aprotected track 55. Again, projections 23 would be provided on thetelescoping links 30, and would be captured and slidable within theguide tracks 54. Also, the protected track 55 could be lined with softmaterial to insulate and protect the video display console 3 and cameraconsole 2 during storage.

A hinged face cover 56 could be provided to protect the keypad 10 andspeaker 9. As illustrated in FIG. 16, once the video display 3 is in thefirst position, and the hinged face cover 56 is closed, thecommunication terminal 1 is extremely compact, drop tolerant, and highlyprotected from dust and moisture of the environment.

FIGS. 17-19 illustrate a fifth alternative embodiment of thecommunication terminal 1. Here, the face of the base console 4 couldresemble the face of base console 4 of the second alternativeembodiment, illustrated in FIG. 11. The base console 4 would not havethe opening 49 for receiving the video display console 3 in its firstposition. Instead, the back face of the base console 4 includesalignment features for receiving the video display console 3 and cameraconsole 2 in an overlaying relationship. A plate-like telescopinglinkage 57 would also be received into the alignment features of theback face to overlay the base console 4.

FIGS. 18 and 19 are a side view and a back view, respectively, of thefifth alternative embodiment with the video display console 3 in itssecond position, remote from the base console 4. The alignment featuresinclude first recessed guide slots 58 formed in the sides of the backface of the base console 4. The plate-like telescoping linkage 57includes a first plate 59 having first followers 60 for riding withinthe first guide slots 58. Ends of the first guide slots 58 include firststops 61 to prevent the first followers 60 from leaving the first guideslots 58. Also, the first plate 59 includes second guide slots 62 formedin side surfaces thereof.

The plate-like telescoping linkage 57 also includes a second plate 63.The second plate 63 includes second followers 64 for riding within thesecond guide slots 62. Ends of the second guide slots 62 include secondstops 65 to prevent the second followers 64 from leaving the secondguide slots 62. The second plate 63 includes a first piano hinge 66 andthird guide slots 67 formed in side surfaces thereof.

The plate-like telescoping linkage 57 also includes a third plate 68.The third plate 68 includes third followers 69 for riding within thethird guide slots 67. Ends of the third guide slots 67 include thirdstops 70 to prevent the third followers 69 from leaving the third guideslots 67. The third plate 68 includes a second piano hinge 71 and hasthe video display console 3 attached to the remote end thereof.

The video display console 3 includes a fourth follower 72 adapted toengage within one of the first guide slots 58 formed in the back face ofthe base console 4. The camera console 2 is attached to the videodisplay console 3 by the guide rod 11 and spring 14 (discussed inrelation to FIG. 3, above). The camera console 2 includes a fifthfollower 73 adapted to engage within the other of the first guide slots58 formed in the back face of the base console 4. By the fifthembodiment, the video display console 3 and the camera console 2 will besecured to, and overlay, the base console 4, when the video features ofthe communication terminal 1 are not being utilized.

FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate a sixth alternative embodiment of thecommunication terminal 1. The sixth alternative embodiment combinesfeatures of the fifth and third alternative embodiments. The baseconsole 4 includes the first guide slots 58, however the video displayconsole 3 and camera console 2 are integrated into a modifiedtelescoping linkage 73, which includes a first extent 75 and a secondextent 76. The video display console 3 includes a guide track 74 forreceiving portions of the modified telescoping linkage 73.

When the video display console 3 is in the first position, the secondextent 76 of the modified telescoping linkage 73 slides into the firstextent 75, and the combination slides into the guide track 74 within thevideo display console 3. A cavity 77 may also be provided in the baseconsole 4 to accommodate a portion of the modified telescoping linkage73, when the video display console 3 is in the first position.

Each embodiment described above yields, a portable, wirelesscommunication terminal, which can be physically expanded andreconfigured so that the video and audio features of the communicationterminal will be easily accessible to the user. The interconnectionsbetween the consoles allow a great deal of flexibility in the operationof the communication terminal. The communication terminal is rugged indesign and can withstand rough environments and dropping. Afteroperation, the communication terminal can be retracted into a compactconfiguration, which is suitable for carrying or storage.

Having described many alternative embodiments of the present invention,it should be noted that variations and substitutions can be made amongthe many features of the embodiments. For example, the plate-likelinkage of FIG. 19 could be substituted for the rod-like linkages ofFIG. 5, or the LCD display 50 of FIG. 11 could be included on the small,base consoles of FIGS. 14, 15 and 20. Such variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, andall such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art areintended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable wireless communication terminalcomprising: a camera console; a camera mounted in said camera console; avideo display console; a video display mounted in said video displayconsole; and a base console, wherein said camera console, video displayconsole, and base console are interconnected and said camera console ismovable relative to said video display console; and a guide extendablebetween said camera console and said video display console, said guidebeing centered about a first axis and being extendable from a firstposition to a second position, said camera console being rotatable aboutsaid first axis; wherein a surface of said camera console facing saidvideo display console has projections formed thereon and wherein asurface of said video display console facing said camera console hasrecesses adapted to matingly engage with said projections when saidcamera console is in said first position to prevent said camera consolefrom rotating about said first axis when in the first position.
 2. Theportable wireless communication terminal according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a microphone mounted in said video display console; and aspeaker and a keypad mounted in said base console.
 3. The portablewireless communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein saidcamera console is selectively rotatable about said first axis by manualmanipulation.
 4. The portable wireless communication terminal accordingto claim 1, wherein the guide guides said camera console between thefirst position, adjacent to said video display console, and the secondposition, remote from said video display console.
 5. The portablewireless communication terminal according to claim 4, wherein saidcamera console is selectively movable between said first position andsaid second position by manual manipulation.
 6. The portable wirelesscommunication terminal according to claim 4, wherein said guide is athreaded member fixedly mounted to one of said camera console and saidvideo display console and threadedly engaged for rotation within theother of said camera console and said video display console.
 7. Theportable wireless communication terminal according to claim 4, whereinsaid guide is fixedly mounted to one of said camera console and saidvideo display console and is slidably engaged within the other of saidcamera console and said video display console.
 8. The portable wirelesscommunication terminal according to claim 4, wherein said guide iscentered about a first axis and wherein said camera console is rotatableabout said first axis when said camera console is in said secondposition.
 9. The portable wireless communication terminal according toclaim 8, further comprising: a spring interconnecting said cameraconsole and said video display console and biasing said camera consoletoward said first position.
 10. A portable wireless communicationterminal comprising: a camera console; a camera mounted in said cameraconsole; a video display console; a video display mounted in said videodisplay console; and a base console, said camera console, video displayconsole, and base console are interconnected and said video displayconsole being movable relative to said base console; and at least onelinkage connecting said video display console and said base console,said at least one linkage guiding said video display console between afirst position, proximate to said base console, and a second position,remote from said base console; said at least one linkage being atelescoping linkage including a plurality of links slidingly engagedwith one another.
 11. The portable wireless communication terminalaccording to claim 10, further comprising: a microphone mounted in saidvideo display console; and a speaker and a keypad mounted in said baseconsole.
 12. The portable wireless communication terminal according toclaim 10, wherein said video display console is selectively movablebetween said first position and said second position by manualmanipulation.
 13. The portable wireless communication terminal accordingto claim 10, wherein said plurality of links include tubes ofprogressively smaller diameters slidingly engaged within one another.14. The portable wireless communication terminal according to claim 10,wherein said plurality of links include plate-like members slidinglyengaged with one another.
 15. The portable wireless communicationterminal according to claim 10, wherein said at least one linkage has afirst distal end connected to said base console and a second distal endconnected to said video display console, and further comprising: a hingeprovided at said second distal end so that said video display console ispivotal relative to said at least one linkage.
 16. The portable wirelesscommunication terminal according to claim 10, wherein said at least onelinkage has a first distal end connected to said base console and asecond distal end connected to said video display console, and furthercomprising: a first hinge provided at said first distal end so that saidbase console is pivotal relative to said at least one linkage.
 17. Theportable wireless communication terminal according to claim 16, furthercomprising: a second hinge provided at said second distal end so thatsaid video display console is pivotal relative to said at least onelinkage.
 18. The portable wireless communication terminal according toclaim 10, wherein said first position corresponds to said video displayconsole adjoining said base console.
 19. The portable wirelesscommunication terminal according to claim 18, wherein said at least onelinkage has a first distal end connected to said base console and asecond distal end connected to said video display console, and furthercomprising: a first hinge provided at said first distal end so that saidbase console is pivotal relative to said at least one linkage; and asecond hinge provided at said second distal end so that said videodisplay console is pivotal relative to said at least one linkage. 20.The portable wireless communication terminal according to claim 19,wherein said video display console can be pivoted relative to said baseconsole so that said video display overlays and is protected by saidbase console.
 21. The portable wireless communication terminal accordingto claim 19, wherein the connection between said first distal end ofsaid at least one linkage and said base console is a captured, slidingengagement.
 22. The portable wireless communication terminal accordingto claim 21, wherein the connection between said second distal end ofsaid at least one linkage and said video display console is a captured,sliding engagement.
 23. The portable wireless communication terminalaccording to claim 10, wherein said first position corresponds to saidvideo display console residing within said base console.
 24. Theportable wireless communication terminal according to claim 23, whereinsaid video display console overlays said at least one linkage, when saidvideo display console is in said first position.
 25. The portablewireless communication terminal according to claim 23, wherein said atleast one linkage has a first distal end connected to said base consoleand a second distal end connected to said video display console, andfurther comprising: a hinge provided at said second distal end so thatsaid video display console is pivotal relative to said at least onelinkage.
 26. The portable wireless communication terminal according toclaim 25, wherein said hinge allows said video display console tooverlay said at least one linkage before said display console is placedin said first position within said base console.
 27. The portablewireless communication terminal according to claim 10, wherein saidfirst position corresponds to said video display overlaying said baseconsole.
 28. The portable wireless communication terminal according toclaim 27, wherein said video display console overlays said at least onelinkage, when said video display console is in said first position. 29.The portable wireless communication terminal according to claim 27,wherein said video display console and said base console includealignment features for holding said video display console and said baseconsole together, when said video display console is in said firstposition.
 30. A portable wireless communication terminal comprising: acamera console; a camera mounted in said camera console; a video displayconsole; a video display mounted in said video display console; and abase console, the base console, camera console and video display consolebeing interconnected and said video display console being movablerelative to said base console; and at least one linkage connecting saidvideo display console and said base console, said at least one linkageguiding said video display console between a first position, proximateto said base console, and a second position, remote from said baseconsole, wherein said at least one linkage has a first distal endconnected to said base console and a second distal end connected to saidvideo display console; and a pivotal member provided at said seconddistal end so that said video display console is pivotal relative tosaid at least one linkage; wherein a surface of said camera consolefacing said video display console has projections formed thereon andwherein a surface of said video display console facing said cameraconsole has recesses adapted to matingly engage with said projectionswhen said camera console is in said first position to prevent saidcamera console from rotating about said first axis when in the firstposition.
 31. A portable wireless communication terminal comprising: acamera console; a camera mounted in said camera console; a video displayconsole; a video display mounted in said video display console; and abase console, camera console, and video display console beinginterconnected and said video display console being movable relative tosaid base console; and at least one linkage connecting said videodisplay console and said base console, said at least one linkage guidingsaid video display console between a first position, proximate to saidbase console, and a second position, remote from said base console,wherein said at least one linkage has a first distal end connected tosaid base console and a second distal end connected to said videodisplay console; and a first pivotal member provided at said firstdistal end so that said base console is pivotal relative to said atleast one linkage; wherein a surface of said camera console facing saidvideo display console has projections formed thereon and wherein asurface of said video display console facing said camera console hasrecesses adapted to matingly engage with said projections when saidcamera console is in said first position to prevent said camera consolefrom rotating about said first axis when in the first position.